Shingle and siding edge protector



SHINGLE AND SIDING EDGE PROTECTOR Filed Feb. 3, 1941 INVENTOR.

Patented July 15, 1941 UNITED S'A'EES PATENT HQE SHINGLE AND SEEING EDGE PROTECTOR )Frank E. Gabriel, Appleton, Wis., assigner to Appleton Supply Co., Inc., Appleton, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application February 3, 1941, Serial No. 377,088

i claims. (ci. ies- 26) This invention relates to a shingle or siding edge protector and starting strip.

In applying siding to a building or other structure, it is usually necessary to give the first course of siding material a certain amount of pitch.V

The following courses each overlap the preceding course and derive their pitch from the lower course. Heretofore in applying siding, for example, asbestos shingles, which are usually of an even thickness throughout, pieces of wood have been placed under the shingles adjacent the lower edges to provide the desired pitch. Frequently odds and ends of wood are used for this purpose, and it has been found that wood of the correct thickness and width is rather hard to obtain.

The first course of siding is rather vulnerable and the lower edge is easily broken. While such breakage may be repaired by replacing the broken member, the remaining shingles will have weathered somewhat, with the result that the new `shingles are unpleasantly conspicuous.

It is therefore anobject of the present invention to provide an edge protector and starting strip which is economical to manufacture, and which may be easily installed.

It is another object to provide a device of this character which will give a uniform pitch to the rst course of siding material on a structure and which will serve as a guide in aligning the lower margins of such course.

It is a further object to provide a device which will protect the lower edge of the siding material against damage or breakage.

It is another object of this invention to provide an edge protector which has an increased shock-absorbing capacity.

It is another object to provide a device of this character which will direct the flow of water from the siding in the manner of a water table or drip-lip.

These and other yobjects not specifically enumerated are contemplated for this invention, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art as the following description proceeds.

In the drawing- Figure l is a fragmentary view in perspective of an edge protector and starting strip constructed and installed in accordance with the present invention and having parts broken away to more clearly show the details lof construction; and

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a device constructed and installed in accordance with the invention.

. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device.

Referring to the drawing, a structural member I0 has sheathing material II secured to it. The sheathing material is shown as tongue and groove planking, but of course it may be of any material and is merely an illustration Iof a structure to which the siding material I2 is applied. Building paper I3 is shown under the siding and covering the sheathing. New siding is frequently applied directly over old siding, and the present invention is equally suitable regardless of the underlying material to which the siding is to be applied. The siding material I2 is illustrated in the drawing as shingles having a uniform thickness, and for the purposes of the present description, may be considered as asbestos or composition shingles, although any suitable type of siding may be used.

The edge protector and starting strip comprises a strip of sheet metal formed with a nailing flange I4 parallel with the sheathing II and adapted to be secured to the sheathing by nails I5, or other means. A spacing offset I6 is positioned at the lower margin of the nailing ange and extends outwardly substantially perpendicular to it. An apron I1 depends from the offset I6 and islparallel to the nailing flange I4. Projecting horizontally from the apron I'I is a step I8, and extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom is the combined shock absorber and drip-lip I9. This latter member may be reinforced by doubling it back upon itself, as shown at 20. This further serves the purpose of eliminating an otherwise fairly sharp edge which extends beyond the shingles.

This strip, which may be made integrally of a single piece of sheet metal, is secured to the sheathing at such an altitude that the lower edges of the shingles I2 will rest upon the step I8 when the shingles are in the desired position. When the strip has been properly secured, the shingles may be rapidly placed in position and secured to the sheathing by nails 2l without further measuring. Accordingly, the lower edges of the shingles are precisely aligned and their pitch is entirely uniform throughout the length of the course. The necessity for rst applying strips of wood to the sheathing of exactly the right thickness and at the proper height to give the right pitch, and the necessity for aligning the lower edges of the shingles as they are'applied, has been eliminated. n

The shock absorbing member I9 has its capacity to absorb shocks increasedby the inherent resiliency in the offset I6,- the apron l1 and the step I3, which stand out from the sheathing. 'Ihe angle at which the member I9 is disposed is such that pressure exerted upon it tends to force it downwardly as well as rearwardly, and this movement may cause the above mentioned members I6, I'I and I8 to yield, thereby increasing the resiliency of the device. The slope of member I9 further serves to carry oi water running down the surface of the shingles which otherwise would collect on the lower edges of the shingles before dropping downwardly.

These edge protectors may be of any convenient length, and when installed are coextensive with the first course of shingles. `Similarly, the length of the nailing ange I5 and apron II may be varied to suit any particular installation. The width of step I6 and length of apron II may be changed to alter the pitch given the first course of shingles. Also, oifset I6 may be lowered from its horizontal position with a resulting decrease in pitch of the first course.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact embodiment of the device sliown, which is merely by way of illustration, and other forms of the device may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of this invention or the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is- 1. An edge protector and starting strip for siding material comprising a member adapted to be nailed to a supporting surface, a second member extending outwardly therefrom for engaging the under surface of said material and maintaining it in spaced relation from said supporting surface, and an outwardly extending guard member depending from said last named member and adapted to underlie the lower edge of said material.

2. A sheet metal edge protector and starting strip comprising a member adapted to be secured to a supporting surface in surface Contact therewith, a downwardly directed outwardly offset portion, an outwardly extending step depending from said portion, and a guard member extending outwardly and downwardly from said step, said guard member being reinforced by doubling the sheet metal upon itself.

3. In combination with a surface to be covered and a course of covering material, a guard meinber coextensive with said course adapted to underlie the lower edge of said material and eX- tend beyond the face thereof, means disposed between said surface and said course for supporting said guard in offset relation to said surface including a member for engaging said surface and adapted to be secured thereto.

4. In combination with a surface to be covered and a course of covering material, an edge protector and starting strip comprising `a guard member coextensive with the lower edge of said course and extending beyond the outer face thereof, and means for resiliently supporting said guard in spaced relation from said surface disposed between said course and said surface including a member adapted to be secured to said surface in surface contact therewith, and an offset member for engaging the underface of said course and maintaining it in spaced relation from said surface.

5. In combination with a surface to be covered and a course of siding material, an edge protector and starting strip comprising a guard member adjacent to and coextensive with the lower edge of said course, and means disposed between said surface and material for supporting said guard in spaced relation from said surface and for maintaining said material in spaced relation from said surface.

6. An edge protector and starting strip device for building covering material comprising a downwardly directed outwardly offset portion positioned between said building and covering material, an outwardly extending guard member adapted to underlie the lower margin of said material, and means for securing said device to the building.

7. In combination with a surface to be covered i and a course of covering material, an edge protector and starting strip comprising a guard member underlying the lower edge of said course, means for securing said guard to said surface, and means disposed between said course and surface for maintaining said course in offset relation to said surface.

FRANK E. GABRIEL. 

